VFX Artist (Freelance) in Cambridge

VFX Artist (Freelance) in Cambridge

Cambridge Freelance 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ninja Theory

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create stunning cinematic VFX for games and collaborate with a talented team.
  • Company: Join Ninja Theory, a BAFTA-winning game studio with a focus on creativity and excellence.
  • Benefits: Freelance flexibility, opportunity to work with cutting-edge tech, and a supportive culture.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make your mark in the gaming industry by crafting life-changing art with game-changing tech.
  • Qualifications: Experience in real-time VFX, Unreal Engine, and a passion for storytelling in games.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Ninja Theory is a six-time BAFTA award winning games company based in Cambridge, UK, and part of Xbox Game Studios. Our diverse and welcoming team values collaboration, quality, and excellence. We strive to maintain an inclusive culture that empowers deep focus, rewards creativity, and supports personal and professional growth.

Our Mission is: To Craft Life-changing Art with Game-changing Tech and we are committed to bringing together the best talent in the industry to help us fulfil that promise.

Your role: We're looking for an experienced VFX artist to create cinematic VFX on a freelance contract of up to 12 months. During this time, you will collaborate closely with multiple disciplines working across both cinematic and gameplay scenes to help bring our creative vision to life. You will create and implement exceptional quality cinematic VFX assets in Unreal Engine, ensuring they are both high quality and performant. Being able to work from our Cambridge studio when required would be an advantage, but not essential.

Requirements: We believe that skills and experience are not mutually exclusive. For that reason, we encourage you to apply even if you feel you don't meet 100% of the requirements listed below.

  • Your skill: You will have a strong desire to push real-time VFX beyond commonly accepted standards, able to leverage both existing and new/emerging technologies in the pursuit of this.
  • You will have:
    • Demonstrable ability to author high quality real-time visual effects.
    • Experience of creating shaders/materials using a node graph.
    • Good grasp of the physical movement of objects and animation timing.
    • Knowledge of how to optimise effects to work with technical constraints.
    • A good eye for dressing a scene with pre-existing VFX.
    • Unreal Engine 4 or 5 experience.
  • Your experience: As well as the above skills, you are also passionate about story driven games and may have released many titles over the years, or perhaps just starting out but have a strong ability to deliver as well as learn new skills.
  • As a bonus you may also have:
    • Houdini asset creation skills.
    • VFX system prototyping experience.

VFX Artist (Freelance) in Cambridge employer: Ninja Theory

Ninja Theory is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment in the heart of Cambridge, UK. As a six-time BAFTA award-winning studio, we prioritise creativity and personal growth, offering freelance VFX artists the opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects while being part of a diverse team that values excellence and integrity. With access to cutting-edge technology and a commitment to crafting life-changing art, our studio provides a unique platform for artists to thrive and push the boundaries of real-time visual effects.

Ninja Theory

Contact Details:

Ninja Theory Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land VFX Artist (Freelance) in Cambridge

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow VFX artists and industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to get your name out there and learn about potential opportunities.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a stunning portfolio that highlights your best VFX work, especially projects using Unreal Engine. Make sure to include breakdowns of your processes to showcase your expertise and creativity.

Tip Number 3

Don’t be shy about applying! Even if you don’t tick every box in the job description, go for it. At StudySmarter, we believe in potential over perfection, so put yourself out there and let your passion shine through.

Tip Number 4

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your knowledge of Ninja Theory’s games. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but also a great match for their team culture and values.

We think you need these skills to ace VFX Artist (Freelance) in Cambridge

Cinematic VFX Creation
Unreal Engine 4 or 5
Shader/Material Authoring
Node Graph Experience
Real-Time VFX Optimisation
Scene Dressing with VFX
Animation Timing Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience with real-time VFX and any projects you've worked on. We want to see what you can do, so include links to your portfolio or any relevant work that showcases your talent!

Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to match our job description. Mention specific skills like your experience with Unreal Engine and how you’ve pushed VFX standards in your past work.

Be Authentic:We love creativity and authenticity! Let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for story-driven games and why you’re excited about the opportunity to work with us at Ninja Theory.

Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets to us, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your application and gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ninja Theory

Know Your VFX Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of real-time VFX and the latest trends in the industry. Be ready to discuss your previous projects and how you pushed the boundaries of what's possible with VFX. This will show your passion and expertise, which is exactly what Ninja Theory is looking for.

Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio

Prepare a strong portfolio that highlights your best work, especially any cinematic VFX you've created in Unreal Engine. Include a variety of projects that demonstrate your ability to create high-quality effects and optimise them for performance. This visual evidence of your skills can really set you apart from other candidates.

Understand the Company Culture

Familiarise yourself with Ninja Theory's mission and values. They value collaboration, creativity, and excellence, so think about how your personal values align with theirs. During the interview, share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams and contributed to a positive creative environment.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to be asked technical questions related to VFX creation, shader/material development, and optimisation techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of Unreal Engine 4 or 5, and be ready to discuss how you approach problem-solving in your work. This will demonstrate your technical proficiency and readiness for the role.